As I watched the recent protests unfold at my alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I felt a mix of emotions – empathy for the passion of the young protesters, disappointment at the disruption to campus life and studies, and deep dismay at the disrespect shown to the American flag.
The right to peaceful protest is a core American value enshrined in the First Amendment. Our nation has a proud history of protests that changed society for the better, from the civil rights movement to the fight for women’s suffrage. I empathize with the strong views that many students hold on both sides of the Israel-Palestine conflict. There is room for reasoned debate and civil disagreement on this complex geopolitical issue.
However, the forceful tactics used by some protesters at UNC crossed an unacceptable line. A small but vocal minority shut down the education of their peers, as the last day of classes was canceled and students’ preparation for final exams was jeopardized. Worse, in a scene that was painful for me to witness, they repeatedly took down the American flag at the heart of campus and replaced it with the Palestinian flag.
Read UNC Students Defy Attempt By Pro-Hamas Protesters To Tear Down The American Flag
As an immigrant to this country, the American flag and the ideals it represents are deeply sacred to me. In the 1980s, my family came here from India with little more than $20 in our pockets and a dream of a better life. Through hard work and perseverance, my parents built a good life for our family. Their experience, and so many other immigrant stories, testify to the unparalleled opportunities America offers to people of all backgrounds who are willing to work hard. The flag is a powerful symbol of those opportunities and must be treated with reverence.
This nation welcomed me as a child, educated me, and enabled me as a young entrepreneur to build a thriving company, CareYaya Health Technologies, that is improving countless lives. I started the venture on UNC’s campus, with office space and entrepreneurship support the university provided, and now we are rapidly expanding across the country. Critically, our technology connects thousands of college students across the country to be caregivers for elders living with dementia. We’ve inspired the younger generation to make an impact and received recognition from the National Institutes of Health for our innovative effort. None of it would have been possible without the magic of America.
Young people today are passionate about righting the wrongs they see. I admire and encourage that passion. But rather than engaging in disruptive protests, I urge students to channel their energy into concrete solutions.
Read: Columbia University Cancels Main Commencement Ceremony Amid Anti-Israel Protests
There are so many societal problems here at home that could benefit from their ideas and efforts. For example, 53 million Americans, mostly women and people of color, work as unpaid family caregivers, often having to give up jobs and education to care for loved ones. Student-led innovations like our homegrown CareYaya platform can make a real difference for these families. Many other UNC students are similarly engaged in creative problem-solving and social entrepreneurship. Imagine what we could achieve as a society if the passion on display at these protests was redirected to such productive purposes.
Beyond any one cause, what America needs most right now is to focus on the ties that bind us, not the issues that divide us. Our national fabric has been frayed by polarization and demonization of the “other side.” Reviving the art of respectful dialogue across differences and seeking common ground are essential to solving problems.
When we tear each other down, physically or verbally, we all lose. When we build each other up in a spirit of empathy, we all win. Every interaction is a chance to choose the latter path.
As we move forward from these protests, let us keep sight of the world we want to build together – a society of opportunity for all, where passionate young people drive solutions, and where we treat each other with dignity even when we disagree. That’s the America I believe in and that I know we can create if we channel our passion in a productive direction.
Editor’s Note: Neal K. Shah is the CEO of CareYaya Health Technologies, one of the fastest-growing health tech startups in America. He runs a social enterprise and applied research lab utilizing AI and human capital innovation to advance health equity through technology. Neal is a “Top Healthcare Voice” on LinkedIn with a 35k+ following, having led partnerships with top healthcare systems in America.
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